BA, DipHE and CertHE in Philosophy
Is this programme for me?
For thousands of years, people have asked fundamental questions about the world, their place in it, and their relations to each other. These questions, and attempts to answer them, define the subject matter of philosophy. With our prestigious BA degree in Philosophy, you can participate in the exciting and fundamental enterprise that is philosophy: the asking and answering of the deep questions that figure centrally in human thought.
This programme is for you if you wish to:
- be challenged intellectually and improve your powers of reasoning and argument, your ability to analyse complex ideas, your understanding of people, and your capacity for original thought
- gain a thorough grounding in the central areas of philosophy. You will be introduced to historical and contemporary issues in the subject and encouraged to make connections between the ideas and arguments that inform philosophical debates
- study a range of philosophical works from classical times to the present day. Subjects include existence and reality; knowledge and belief; mind, thought, reason and logic; truth and meaning; and the ethical and aesthetic values of goodness and beauty
| Key dates | |
| Application deadline | 1 October in the year before you intend to sit your first examinations |
| Registration deadline | 30 November |
| Despatch of study materials | After your registration is approved |
| Start studying | As soon as you receive your study materials |
| Examinations take place | May |
Study options
You can choose from:
- BA in Philosophy
- Diploma of Higher Education
- Certificate of Higher Education
- Individual course Introduction to Philosophy
The Diploma or the Certificate of Higher Education are ideal options to consider if you don't feel ready to commit to a full degree programme or don't satisfy the entrance requirements for the degree. Once you pass the Certificate you will be invited to register for the Diploma, and having completed the Diploma you will be invited to register for the BA.
You also have the option of taking Introduction to philosophy [pdf 2pgs 108KB] as an individual course. This will give you a taste of what the study of philosophy involves. If you obtain a mark of 50 or above, you can apply for the Certificate of Higher Education in Philosophy and will be credited with a pass in this course.
Prestige and career progression
The programme has been developed by Birkbeck’s Department of Philosophy, one of the highest ranking Philosophy departments in the UK. Through their writing and editorial work, academics in the department are significant contributors to the worldwide philosophical community. The BA degree will prepare you for many careers including the public services, teaching and research, journalism, media and business. While not a vocational subject, it is well known that the study of philosophy is an excellent preparation for success in law, administration, and business.
Flexible study at a reasonable cost
You have 3-8 years to complete the BA degree and 2-5 years to complete the Dip HE or 1-5 years for Cert HE. Fees are payable as you progress rather than as a single lump sum. The following are examples of University fees for the whole programme of study: £4,177 for the BA, £2,907 for the Dip HE and £1,637 for the Cert HE. Please note that these examples are calculated using current fees, do not reflect any annual change to fees and assume completion in the minimum time permitted. For the Individual course 'Introduction to Philosophy' the fee is £462.
Structure and Syllabus
BA Philosophy: Twelve courses (four at Level 4, four at Level 5 and four at Level 6)
Diploma of Higher Education in Philosophy: Eight courses (four at Level 4 and four at Level 5)
Certificate of Higher Education in Philosophy: Four courses (all at Level 4)
All philosophy courses are listed below, along with some general descriptions.
The information in this section is intended to give you a general idea of what each course is about. You can find more information, including some reading and sample questions for each course, in the 'Study materials' tab on this website. Of course, when you register, you will get access to the full subject guides for each course, as well as access to all other supporting materials.
Philosophy: BA, Diploma, and Certificate in Higher Education
Level 4
- Introduction to Philosophy
- Ethics: historical perspectives
- Epistemology
- Logic
Level 5
- Greek philosophy: Plato and the Pre-Socratics
- Modern philosophy: Descartes, Locke, Berkeley and Hume
- Ethics: contemporary perspectives
- Metaphysics
- Methodology: Induction, reason and science
Level 6
- Modern philosophy: Spinoza, Leibniz and Kant
- Greek philosophy: Aristotle
- Continental philosophy: Hegel, Schopenhauer and Nietzsche
- Aesthetics
- Philosophy of language
- Philosophy of mind
- Political philosophy
- Philosophy of religion
Dissertation
- Dissertation - Philosophy
Notes
- If you successfully complete the Certificate of Higher Education in Philosophy you may progress to either the Diploma of Higher Education or the BA degree in Philosophy. You will not have to pay another initial registration fee and the applicable registration period period for the award will date from the initial registration for the Certificate of Higher Education.
- The course 'Introduction to philosophy' is available to study as an individual course.
- If you take 'Introduction to philosophy' as an individual course and obtain a pass mark of 50 or above, you will automatically qualify for registration to the Certificate of Higher Education in Philosophy. Following registration you will be credited with the course
